The easiest way to roam around is to rent a motorbike. It will be convenient for travelers to visit inland beaches and chase sunset after sunset. Start renting a motorbike after the days of island hopping because tours are whole-day trips. Haggle for the price, but the regular rate is Php500/day. There are no taxis here, but tricycles are available to bring you to nearby places. For large groups, ask your travel agents for a private van.

There are five areas where you can book your accommodation- town proper, Corong-corong, Maremegmeg, Lio, Nacpan/Duli.

Here are the convenience for each location:

Town: food, party

Corong-corong: sunset, food, beach

Maremegmeg: sunset, beach

Lio: near the airport, food

Nacpan/Duli: beach, sunset, off the grid

This beach is in the town proper, and locals call it Aplaya. Post-pandemic, the beach looks stunning with its blue and green hue, plus the rock islands over the horizon. This beach is also the gateway to island hopping. Food choices and party places are along the stretch of this beach.

Tour A,B,C,D. Choose the lagoons, beaches, and islands you want to experience. Price varies for each tour package, but lunch is always included. Most travelers, like me, choose Tour A and C, but if you have more time in El Nido, try all tours!

El Nido is a small town but has a lot of promise for travelers and tourists. There are plenty of food choices in the town proper, coffee shops, and a few drinking places- for chilling and partying. ATMs are available too- Metrobank, BPI, international ATM.

Corong-corong is a barangay in El Nido near the town proper. Accommodation here varies from bunk beds to pension houses to hotels. Corong-corong beach gives a different feel of quaintness and chill. Water is clean and knee-high for about 100m from the shore. So, imagine the sandbar during low tide. You may also rent a kayak here and paddle to Papaya Beach or Lapus-lupus Beach. Set up your beach towel to watch a dramatic sunset in the afternoon- best pair with beer and Bella Vita or Altrove pizza.

Vanilla Beach or Maremegmeg is my go-to beach because of its proximity and perfect swim area. Sand is fine white- almost like Boracay, water is clean and clear, and the view is rewarding. Pricey hotels are located here, but paying for the view, beach, and sunset is the trade-off. During low tide, you may cross the islet across Las Cabanas or try the zipline activity.

Papaya Beach is also part of the main island but only accessible through a boat or kayak. Some tours include this in the island hopping. You may rent a kayak at Corong corong and paddle to this beach. Make sure to go here on a sunny day, so the water is calm during the kayak. You'll quickly love this beach because of its seclusion, sand, and the water.

Lapus lapus beach is also part of the main island; however, like Papaya Beach, it is only accessible through a boat or kayak. This beach is still private, but with the right contact, you can enjoy the serenity of the place. Follow the trail going to the room accommodations, and you will see the overlooking spot. 

This long beach is located 20 km north of El Nido. Travel time is about 30 minutes by motorbike; be careful on your drive as there are rough roads along the way. The beach of Nacpan is a long stretch of fine white sand with Coconut trees lining up from end to end. Water is clean and clear, with baby waves adding to your Nacpan escapade.

​

This beach is one of my favorites.

Search for Twin Beach el Nido pictures, and you will be amazed by the aerial shots of these two beaches. This is located at the far left of Nacpan Beach. Though the viewing deck is now private, tourists can only see the twin beach through a drone. I got lucky to see them and took only a few shots at the viewing deck.

Farther north of Nacpan is the off-the-grid destination, Duli Beach. Its brownish white sand is also kilometers stretched, with coconuts lining the shore. The broad sand area looks dune when low tide. Probably because of less crowd and no beachfront hotels, the water of Duli is clean and very clear. Duli beach also casts waves for surfers- beginners will enjoy it. During the north swell, waves are enjoyable for pros. Check out the rock pool near Duli Beach resort- it's riveting, yet the waves are scary.

Lio Beach is within the premises of Ayala Properties. El Nido ariport is also located here. The beach is also astounding and IG-worthy. The concrete pathway from the shore to the beach added photo ops for travelers. The platform at the end gives you a breath-taking view of El Nido islands. I recommend taking shots under this pathway for more unusual scenes.

Bring Off Lotion! Be wary of niknik bites when you visit Nacpan Beach. I am a victim of these sandflies. Put on Off Lotion before and after swimming at Nacpan, Lio, and Duli.

With the ease of restrictions, party places are opening in El Nido town. Try Pangolin, Sava, or Pukka. Get insights from locals if there are special party events during your stay. Sometimes they organize parties as far as the Nacpan area. Try Kuridas at the Aplaya area and restaurants along Sirena St for a chill drink.